Endpoint

Serum alkaline phosphatase

CAT:outcome/alkaline-phosphatasereported in U/L

Method

Serum alkaline phosphatase catalytic activity by clinical para-nitrophenyl-phosphate assay at a stated temperature.

The method is part of the endpoint identity. Studies measuring the same quantity by a different method are held as separate endpoints.

Notes

Reported as a liver-panel member but substantially bone-derived, and the isoenzyme fraction is almost never separated in supplement trials. That ambiguity is the reason this is a node of its own rather than being read as a liver endpoint: a rise can mean bone turnover, and recording it as hepatic would state something the assay does not distinguish.

Findings

2 findings from 1 compound, strongest first.

curcumin — no detected effect on
LikelyGrade B, Likely. Human evidence, limited replication or design limits.FindingNull resultreplicated ×1
“There was no significant association between curcumin supplement and ALP [MD (95% CI) of −8.88 (−24.68, 6.93) units/L].”
Quoted verbatim from An updated meta-analysis of effects of curcumin on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on available evidence from Iran and Thailand..
Study

meta-analysis
Dose

80–3000 mg/day pooled across bioavailability-enhanced forms (80–1000 mg/day), curcumin extracts (1500 mg/day) and turmeric powder (2000–3000 mg/day)
Population

Adults with MAFLD (NAFLD/NASH); 6 RCTs, all using bioavailability-enhanced curcumin forms; liver enzymes were a primary outcome of interest
Effect -8.88 mean difference, 95% CI -24.68 to 6.93
An updated meta-analysis of effects of curcumin on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on available evidence from Iran and Thailand.2023PMID:37037891
curcumin — no detected effect on
LikelyGrade B, Likely. Human evidence, limited replication or design limits.FindingNull resultreplicated ×1
“The mean change in ALP levels was − 0.77 ± 14.54 U/L in the nanocurcumin group and − 5.57 ± 20.37 U/L in the placebo group, with no significant difference between groups in the crude analysis ( P = 0.262).”
Quoted verbatim from Effect of nano-curcumin supplementation on liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD-associated fibrosis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial..
Study

RCT
Dose

Oral nanomicellar curcumin (nano-curcumin, Exir Nano Sina), one 40 mg capsule twice daily with a main meal (80 mg/day) for 16 weeks
Population

Adults aged 30-70 y with NAFLD-associated liver fibrosis of METAVIR stage F2 or higher, Tehran, Iran; 55 randomised and all 55 analysed with no withdrawals (27 nano-curcumin, 28 placebo); secondary endpoint (declared primary outcomes: liver fibrosis and steatosis by FibroScan and the FIB-4 index); unadjusted between-group comparison of change from baseline; the between-group difference remained non-significant after adjustment for baseline values, age, sex, diabetes, calorie intake change and BMI (P = 0.161); serum ALP by enzyme colorimetric method on a Cobas c 311 analyser
Effect of nano-curcumin supplementation on liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD-associated fibrosis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.2025PMID:41168313Industry funded

Notes

Findings

2 findings from 1 compound, strongest first.

curcumin — no detected effect on

LikelyFindingNull resultreplicated ×1

“There was no significant association between curcumin supplement and ALP [MD (95% CI) of −8.88 (−24.68, 6.93) units/L].”

Study: meta-analysis
Dose: 80–3000 mg/day pooled across bioavailability-enhanced forms (80–1000 mg/day), curcumin extracts (1500 mg/day) and turmeric powder (2000–3000 mg/day)
Population: Adults with MAFLD (NAFLD/NASH); 6 RCTs, all using bioavailability-enhanced curcumin forms; liver enzymes were a primary outcome of interest

Effect -8.88 mean difference, 95% CI -24.68 to 6.93

An updated meta-analysis of effects of curcumin on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on available evidence from Iran and Thailand.2023PMID:37037891

curcumin — no detected effect on

LikelyFindingNull resultreplicated ×1

“The mean change in ALP levels was − 0.77 ± 14.54 U/L in the nanocurcumin group and − 5.57 ± 20.37 U/L in the placebo group, with no significant difference between groups in the crude analysis ( P = 0.262).”

Study: RCT
Dose: Oral nanomicellar curcumin (nano-curcumin, Exir Nano Sina), one 40 mg capsule twice daily with a main meal (80 mg/day) for 16 weeks
Population: Adults aged 30-70 y with NAFLD-associated liver fibrosis of METAVIR stage F2 or higher, Tehran, Iran; 55 randomised and all 55 analysed with no withdrawals (27 nano-curcumin, 28 placebo); secondary endpoint (declared primary outcomes: liver fibrosis and steatosis by FibroScan and the FIB-4 index); unadjusted between-group comparison of change from baseline; the between-group difference remained non-significant after adjustment for baseline values, age, sex, diabetes, calorie intake change and BMI (P = 0.161); serum ALP by enzyme colorimetric method on a Cobas c 311 analyser

Effect of nano-curcumin supplementation on liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD-associated fibrosis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.2025PMID:41168313Industry funded